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Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.